Original Press Release:

(DEARBORN, Mich.) - SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Expo (AMExpo), featuring RAPID Canada Conference & Exposition and Medical Manufacturing Innovations, has already confirmed more than 6,000 square feet in exhibitor space featuring Canadian companies representing many of the major players in the 3D printing/scanning, advanced and medical manufacturing world such as; 3D Systems, Creaform, MakerBot, EnvisionTec, ExOne, Mitutoyo, Mitsubishi Laser, Nikon Metrology, Objet, SLM Solutions and Stratasys, to name a few. With more than seven weeks left until the event kicks off, the high caliber of exhibitors is indicative of the growing popularity in additive manufacturing technologies.

“The factory of the future will be transformational - 3D printers, automation, advanced materials, simulation of machines and processes, even controlling an entire factory from your smart phone,” said Debbie Holton, director of events and industry strategy at SME. “The speed of change continues to increase and manufacturers need to see these advanced technologies in person and learn from the experts.”

A report by industry consulting firm Wohlers Associates forecasts that by 2017, the sale of 3D printing products and services will approach $6 billion worldwide. Some are calling 3D printing technologies the Third Industrial Revolution and the future of advanced manufacturing technologies.

The two-day conference, produced by SME and co-located with the inaguaral RAPID Canada and Medical Manufacturing Innovations (MMI) at the International Centre, will be held September 23 and 24. These co-located events cater to a range of industries including: aerospace, automotive, energy, materials manufacturing, information technology, medical manufacturing, pharmaceutical and biotechnology. A single registration includes access to all three events.

AMExpo’s Opening Keynote Speaker Jason Lopes, lead systems engineer for Legacy Effects, will discuss how 3D printing/scanning have enabled the creation of some of Hollywood’s most amazing special effects, including work on the movies “Avatar,” “Iron Man 3,” “The Bourne Legacy,” “Pacific Rim” and “The Hunger Games.” 3D printing in Hollywood has transformed the special effects department from a post-production component of filmmaking to something that informs the filmmaking process.

Targeted at both industry professionals as well as those looking to enter the 3D printing market, AMExpo’s conference sessions offer speakers from COM DEV International, National Research Council, Creaform, the University of Waterloo and Renishaw. The sessions will be delivering high-productivity solutions to enhance manufacturing performance, efficiency and quality.

Manufacturing professionals can discover hot technologies up close for a tangible one-on-one experience with suppliers and contract manufacturers. The entire event will host more than 50 booths showcasing the latest products and services in manufacturing.

The AMExpo show floor will be offering activities, including:

Innovation Tech Zone featuring Technology Spotlights - This will be an interactive resource center that will showcase additive and medical manufacturing technologies and applications. It will be a hands-on demonstration discovery center on the show floor where industry professionals will serve as guides to take you through the process flow. The spotlights will feature specific products that have integrated advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing or medical manufacturing technology. Participants include:

Makerbot Interactive - An education and demonstration on prosumer printing. Printing of popular pop-culture items on the show floor for the audience to take away.

Personal Illusions - Demonstration of 3D printed jewelry.

Ontario Centre of Excellence “Discovery Zone” - Partners in Manufacturing, the OCE will be bringing technologies to demonstrate firsthand how it is benefitting and advancing the manufacturing sector in Ontario.

The 2014 Advanced Manufacturing Expo is being held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. The exhibit floor opens on September 23 at 10:00 a.m. and concludes September 24 at 4:00 p.m. Exhibitor and general attendance registration is now open.

For more information about AMExpo, and to register, visit amexpo.ca or call 1-888-322-7333.

About SME

SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is dedicated to advancing manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for the industry. Follow @sme_mfg on Twitter and facebook.com/smemfg.